The DC Black Repertory Dance Company (DCBRDC), under the direction of Louis Johnson and Mike Malone, had an impressive ensemble of dance professionals that would soon make their mark locally and internationally.  Notable dancers of DC Black Repertory Dance Company were Kiki Sheppard (Apollo Theatre in Harlem, N.Y.), and Charles Auggins (Duke Ellington High School Dance Chair/DCBRDC ballet master, who directed and choreographed in London, England for over 20 years.

The company exisited from 1968 to 1977[1]. Many DCBRDC dancers traveled abroad – making outside of the United States their home; others toured and returned back to the United States. Malone went on to co-found and develop Washington, D.C.’s first high school of the performing arts, Duke Ellington High School of the Performing Arts in 1974. Louis Johnson moved to New York to create his own dance company the Louis Johnson Dance Company and choreographed the film adaptation of The Wizard of OZ entitled The Wiz.

[1] Malone,Mike. Personal interview. 01 April 2004